Blog | 911 Emergency Dispatcher | 911 Emergency Dispatch

Vancouver, B.C.—As part of today’s Great British Columbia ShakeOut drill, E-Comm is reminding people that they should only call 9-1-1 during a natural disaster if it is a life-safety emergency.

“One of the most important ways people can support emergency services after an earthquake, large or small, is to help keep 9-1-1 lines free for life-safety emergencies—situations where immediate help from first responders is required,” says Jody Robertson, E-Comm’s director of corporate communications. “Call-takers are there to help people and lives are put at risk when 9-1-1 is treated like an information line.”

Following the 4.7-magnitude earthquake that was felt across much of southwestern B.C. on December 29, 2015, the emergency communication centre was flooded with 9-1-1 calls. In the 15-minute period following the quake, call-takers handled 318 emergency calls, an increase of 1500% compared to normal call volume for that time of day.

“I was working that night and the calls that I took were not emergencies,” says E-Comm 9-1-1 call-taker Megan Wong. “People were calling with questions or statements like: Was that an earthquake? My whole house just shook. Will there be more tremors?” Wong goes on to explain that “as a 9-1-1 call-taker my job is to help people with emergencies and that’s why it’s so important to me that we get the message out that when people call 9-1-1 for information or any other reason that is not an emergency, they’re tying up valuable resources.”

Robertson adds “while E-Comm understands that people may feel frightened or unsure what to do after an earthquake, the message we want to send is that 9-1-1 resources are finite and lines need to remain open to those with true emergencies. There are many great sources of information available that don’t involve calling 9-1-1, such as: PreparedBC, the Government of Canada, Emergency Info BC and other non-emergency resources including government websites and their social media feeds and local media.”

E-Comm also has information available on its website—ecomm911.ca—including tips for dialing 9-1-1 after an earthquake and the right channels to turn to for information and updates. The website also has information on how people should be prepared in the event of a natural disaster, such as the basics of an emergency kit and links to emergency preparedness websites.

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E-Comm operates the largest multi-jurisdictional, tri-service emergency radio system in the province and is the largest 9-1-1 call centre in British Columbia, handling approximately 1.35 million emergency calls per year for Metro Vancouver and 24 other regional districts and communities spanning from Vancouver Island to Alberta and from the U.S. border, to north of Prince George. E-Comm also provides call-taking and dispatch services to 35 police and fire departments in southwest B.C. For more information visit https://ecomm911.ca/.

Media Contact:

Jody Robertson
E-Comm 9-1-1
604-215-4956
[email protected]

Available multi-media

Audio clips from 9-1-1  call-takers on Dec. 29, 2016.

Today, regional districts in BC’s central and southern interior announced the availability of a specialized text service that allows people who are Deaf/Deaf-Blind, Hard-of-Hearing or Speech Impaired (DHHSI) to communicate with 9-1-1 call-takers by text.

This service is called Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1) and is being delivered by E-Comm—the emergency communications centre responsible for answering 9-1-1 calls in the central and southern interior—in partnership with local emergency service agencies. The service is now available throughout the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, Central Kootenay, Columbia-Shuswap, Okanagan-Similkameen, Thompson-Nicola, East Kootenay, Kootenay-Boundary and Squamish-Lillooet regional districts.

“T9-1-1 is a vital connection to police, fire and ambulance and enables quick communication between a Deaf caller and emergency services,” remarked Gordon Rattray, Treasurer of the Okanagan Valley Association of the Deaf (OVAD). “In the past Deaf people were limited by communication barriers and would have to use phone relay or TTY which would take five or ten minutes longer. The OVAD is very excited to have T9-1-1 in the interior regional districts and we look forward to helping promote the availability of this service with the DHHSI community. We’re proud of this enhancement to emergency services that E-Comm provides.”

T9-1-1 allows any DHHSI person who has pre-registered their cellphone with their wireless carrier to communicate with police, fire and ambulance call-takers via text during an emergency. Callers must first place a voice call to 9-1-1 in order to establish a voice network connection and initiate the special messaging technology.

“This new enhanced level of service is something we’ve eagerly anticipated being able to provide for residents with hearing or speech impairments who need help from police, fire or ambulance services,” said Gail Given, Chair of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. “It is important for people in the Central Okanagan DHHSI community who have not yet registered for this service to do so now, and for them to learn more about how the service works and what to expect should they need to use T9-1-1 during an emergency.”

When E-Comm receives a 9-1-1 call from a DHHSI person who has pre-registered for the service, an alert will trigger at the 9-1-1 centre to indicate there is a DHHSI caller on the line. The 9-1-1 call-taker will then launch the special messaging system, allowing them to communicate with the caller through a special text session. This will ensure they get the emergency service they need.

“Being able to communicate with 9-1-1 using this technology allows for greater access to important 9-1-1 lifelines in the event of an emergency,” added David Guscott, E-Comm President and CEO. “E-Comm is proud to be able to offer this enhanced level of service to our partners in the central and southern interior of B.C.”

It is important to emphasize that this service is only available to the DHHSI community.

Voice calling remains the only way to communicate with 9-1-1 services for a person who is not Deaf/Deaf-Blind, Hard-of-Hearing or Speech Impaired. Text messages sent directly to the digits “9-1-1” do not reach emergency services anywhere in Canada. Text with 9-1-1 for the public-at-large is anticipated in the future as the nationwide 9-1-1 infrastructure evolves.

Members of the DHHSI community should visit www.TextWith911.ca to register their cellphone with their wireless service provider and to learn more about how the system works.

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E-Comm is the largest 9-1-1 call centre in British Columbia and handles approximately 1.35 million emergency calls per year for Metro Vancouver and 24 other regional districts and communities spanning from Vancouver Island to Alberta and from the U.S. border, to north of Prince George. E-Comm also provides call-taking and dispatch services to 35 police and fire departments and operates the largest multi-jurisdictional, tri-service emergency radio system in the province.

Contacts:

Regional Districts in the northern interior are now providing people who are Deaf/Deaf-Blind, Hard-of-Hearing or Speech Impaired (DHHSI) with the ability to contact 9-1-1 through a new specialized text service, called Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1). The service is available to residents living within the regional districts of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG), Cariboo, Kitimat-Stikine and Bulkley-Nechako who pre-register with their wireless providers. The service is provided by E-Comm— the emergency communications centre responsible for answering 9-1-1 calls in the northern interior.

“Text With 911 brings our children and families the ability to communicate in the same way that anyone else can in emergency situations. It must be noted, that this service is also a game changer for first responders to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people – now our children and families can communicate the enhanced information that can save lives in emergencies. This service will make a real and significant difference in the lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and families – it will save lives,” says Andrea Palmer, Vice President of the Northern BC Family Hearing Society.

T9-1-1 allows any DHHSI person who has pre-registered their cellphone with their wireless carrier to communicate with police, fire and ambulance call-takers via text during an emergency. Callers must first place a voice call to 9-1-1 in order to establish a voice network connection and initiate the special messaging technology.

“We are pleased our DHHSI communities now have an improved way of communicating with local police, fire and ambulance services,” says Art Kaehn, RDFFG Board Chair. “I encourage people not to delay in registering for this service and to learn how to use it.”

“We are very proud to be able to offer Text with 9-1-1 services to our Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Speech Impaired residents. We appreciate all of the efforts that have made this service possible,” says Bill Miller, Chair of the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako.

“Bringing the Text with 9-1-1 service to the Northern Interior is a positive asset to our region. For DHHSI members to be able to reach this lifeline through a cellphone is a major improvement over outdated TTY (telephone typewriter) technology which is limited to landlines,” says Al Richmond, Chair of the Cariboo Regional District.

“We are excited to have this service available for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Speech Impaired residents in our region and their families. We hope those who are eligible register their phones with their mobile service provider so they can access the service if they need it,” says Stacey Tyers, Chair of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine.

When E-Comm receives a 9-1-1 call from a DHHSI person who has pre-registered for the service, an alert will trigger at the 9-1-1 centre to indicate there is a DHHSI caller on the line. The 9-1-1 call-taker will then launch the special messaging system, allowing them to communicate with the caller through a special text session. This will ensure they get the emergency service they need.

The specialized technology was developed by Canada’s telecommunications services providers and is available in select parts of the country.

“E-Comm was pleased to be the first 9-1-1 centre in Canada to launch T9-1-1 and we are ready to provide this important service to DHHSI residents in the northern interior regional districts,” adds David Guscott, E-Comm President and CEO. “We are proud to have played a part in the development of this service which is a significant improvement over outdated TTY technology.”

It is important to emphasize that this service is only available to the DHHSI community. Voice calling remains the only way to communicate with 9-1-1 services for a person who is not Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hardof- Hearing or Speech Impaired. Text messages sent directly to the digits “9-1-1” do not reach emergency services anywhere in Canada. Text with 9-1-1 for the public-at-large is anticipated in the future as the nationwide 9-1-1 infrastructure evolves.

Members of the DHHSI community should visit www.TextWith911.ca to register their cellphones with their wireless service provider and to learn more about how the system works.

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E-Comm would like to encourage DHHSI persons to register for T9-1-1 and to learn how this service works and in the event of an emergency, how to use the service. A variety of public education materials are available online at ecomm911.ca. Materials include a special user guide, infographic with registration tips and step-by-step video in American Sign Language that shows you how to register, how to make a 9- 1-1 call and what will happen when you dial 9-1-1 using the Text with 9-1-1 service.

E-Comm is the largest 9-1-1 call centre in British Columbia and handles approximately 1.35 million emergency calls per year for Metro Vancouver and 24 other regional districts and communities spanning from Vancouver Island to Alberta and from the U.S. border, to north of Prince George. E-Comm also provides call-taking and dispatch services to 35 police and fire departments and operates the largest multi-jurisdictional, tri-service emergency radio system in the province.

Contacts:

Vancouver, B.C. — Police officers, firefighters and paramedics in the Lower Mainland will start to use new radios in 2017 that will be more effective and durable in challenging conditions and provide greater safety features for first responders.

E-Comm—Emergency Communications for British Columbia Incorporated—has signed agreements with JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc., Motorola Solutions Canada and RELM Wireless Corporation for the provision of radio equipment to be used by first responders on a new digital P25 regional emergency communications radio system currently in development by E-Comm and its public safety partners. Among the key features: Greater reliability, water immersion resistance, radio monitoring (enabling dispatchers to remotely activate radio microphones for improved responder safety), noise-cancelling technology to reduce background sounds and allow responders to be heard more clearly in noisy environments, increased security, GPS tracking, an expanded range of accessories and the ability to add new features through software upgrades in the future.

For the first time, emergency service agencies will also have their choice of radios from multiple pre-qualified vendors, providing them with the opportunity to choose from a range of products and price points that meet their specific requirements.

“There is a tremendous benefit in having agencies choose radio equipment that uniquely suits their needs,” explains Richmond Fire Chief John McGowan, chair of the radio user working group (composed of senior representatives from police, fire and ambulance services) that is collaborating with E-Comm in overseeing the radio system replacement. “The type of radio, its specific technology features and the manner in which radios are used, can differ between police, fire and ambulance agencies.”

For example, Chief McGowan says that larger radios are more desirable for firefighters who wear bulky protective gear such as gloves and jackets. Radios also need to be extra rugged to operate in firefighting conditions (i.e. waterproof); whereas police may prefer smaller, lighter radios that have longer battery life during extended events. “Being able to choose customized options means first responders are getting the best tools to do their jobs,” Chief McGowan adds.

The planned replacement of E-Comm’s radio system—known as the Next Generation Radio Program—is a multi-year initiative to replace the entire regional radio network currently used by all police departments and BC Emergency Health Services in Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford, in addition to 12 fire departments in Metro Vancouver. The new network will be based on digital radio technology known as Project 25 (P25) in the 700 MHz band, an open standard that public-safety agencies across North America have widely adopted and that has been endorsed by the Lower Mainland emergency services community.

E-Comm President and CEO David Guscott echoed Chief McGowan’s comments about the benefit of providing agencies with options for radios. “What it all comes down to is what’s best for the public safety community—helping first responders to be able to provide the highest level of service by ensuring they have the right radios at their disposal. I’m pleased to have such a wide variety of options available for our partners.”

Master Standing Offer agreements with JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc., Motorola Solutions Canada and RELM Wireless Corporation were signed following a Request for Proposal from pre-qualified vendors earlier in the year. Leading up to the signed agreements, a comprehensive technical evaluation of proposals and series of conformance tests were undertaken to ensure radios met the technical requirements of operating on the new P25 network. Selection of vendors occurred following evaluation and due-diligence assessment of proposals using a rigorous methodology incorporating independent external oversight.
The new radio network is scheduled to be fully rolled out across Metro Vancouver and Abbotsford by early 2018.

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Vendor Quotes

“JVCKENWOOD has a long established history of providing industry leading communication solutions to numerous federal, provincial and local government agencies in Canada and is pleased to be an approved radio equipment vendor for E-Comm. We look forward to providing a full suite of subscriber radio solutions to police, fire and ambulance agencies that are part of the E-Comm radio system.” Wilf Mulder, National Sales Manager – Professional Systems Division

“Motorola Solutions is dedicated to providing E-Comm and its member agencies with interoperable APX^TM P25 radios and equipment designed for their mission-critical communication needs. Our broad suite of solutions provides a variety of rugged features and options built to help keep British Columbia first responders and the people they protect safe for years to come.” George Krausz, President – Motorola Solutions Canada

“E-Comm is one of the largest and most respected public safety organizations in Canada. We are very excited about our new relationship with E-Comm and look forward to making it a mutual success for both organizations. Our goal is to provide great service to first responders in B.C. and to the rest of Canada.” David Storey, RELM President and Chief Executive Officer

About E-Comm
E-Comm operates the largest multi-jurisdictional, tri-service emergency radio system in the province and is the largest 9-1-1 call centre in British Columbia, handling approximately 1.35 million emergency calls per year for Metro Vancouver and 24 other regional districts and communities spanning from Vancouver Island to Alberta and from the U.S. border, to north of Prince George. E-Comm also provides call-taking and dispatch services to 35 police and fire departments in southwest B.C. For more information visit https://ecomm911.ca/.

Media Contacts:

E-Comm 9-1-1
Jody Robertson
604-215-4956
[email protected]

JVCKENWOOD Canada Inc.
Thomas Kingston
905-670-7211
[email protected]

Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Chantal Montsion
1-847-668-3050
[email protected]

RELM Wireless Corporation
Tim Vitou
321-984-1414
[email protected]

Vancouver, B.C. — E-Comm, Emergency Communications for British Columbia Incorporated, is pleased to announce its 2016-2017 Board of Directors. The announcement follows today’s Annual General Meeting, held at the emergency communications centre.

“We are confident that with the skills, experience and leadership of our Board of Directors we will be well supported as we work toward our vision of safer communities in British Columbia, through excellence in public safety communication,” said David Guscott, E-Comm president and CEO.

E-Comm’s board is composed of 19 directors and includes elected officials, representatives of emergency services and the provincial government, in addition to municipal staff and local community and business leaders.

2016-2017 Board of Directors:

1. Doug Campbell, Independent Director, Board Chair
2. Councillor Bruce Bell, nominated by Maple Ridge and City of Pitt Meadows
3. Becky Denlinger, nominated by Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
4. Barry Forbes, Independent Director
5. Mayor Jack Froese, nominated by Township of Langley, Cities of Surrey and White Rock
6. Lois Karr, nominated by RCMP
7. Jocelyn M. Kelley, Independent Director
8. Anne Kinvig, Independent Director
9. Councillor Raymond Louie, nominated by Metro Vancouver
10. Jack McGee, nominated by Independent Police Boards (Port Moody, West Vancouver, Transit Police, Abbotsford, New Westminster)
11. Councillor Bill McNulty, nominated by City of Richmond
12. Paul Mochrie, nominated by City of Vancouver
13. Clayton Pecknold, nominated by Ministry of Justice
14. Karl Preuss, nominated by The Corporation of Delta / Delta Police Board
15. Bob Rolls, nominated by Vancouver Police Board
16. Kathy Steegstra, nominated by BC Emergency Health Services
17. Councillor Mary Trentadue, nominated by Belcarra, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody
18. Mayor Richard Walton, nominated by District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Village of Lions Bay
19. Terry Waterhouse, nominated by Township of Langley, Cities of Surrey and White Rock

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E-Comm is the largest 9-1-1 call centre in British Columbia and handles approximately 1.35 million emergency calls per year for Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Squamish-Lillooet Regional Districts and 22 other regional districts and communities spanning from Vancouver Island to the Alberta and U.S. borders, to north of Prince George. E-Comm also provides call-taking and dispatch services to 35 police and fire departments and operates the largest multi-jurisdictional, tri-service emergency radio system in the province.

Media contact:

Jody Robertson
E-Comm 9-1-1 Corporate Communications
604-215-4956
[email protected]